The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-11
A BLOW IN CONGRESS.
A Pistol Shot It's Sequel-An Incident of
Forty Years Ago.

A Pistol Shot Its Sequel-An Incident of
Forty Years Ago.
Ben: Perley Poore in the Boston Budget
There was a wild scene the floor Of the
House of Representatives the 23d of April.
1884. after q speech by ex-Speaker White, OF
Kentucky, whose subject was the tariff He
did not, however, confne himself to the subject
He took occasion to defend Mr.. Clay from the
charge of intrigue bargain and corruption"
urged against him in 1925, when he accepted
the appointment of Secretary OF State from MT.
| Adams, and also from the charge or having
made speech in which he declared that I'VE
must have white slaves, if we had not black
| slaves
When Mr.. White had taken his seat some con-
versation arose among members in his neighbor-
hood upon the subject and Mr.. Rathbun. OF
New York, remarked that the charges against
Mr.. Clay were true. and could be proved. MIR.
White being irritated by the remarks, made a
sharp reply Mr. Rathbun, after the exchange
MIR. White returned the blow, and the parties
were Immediately engaged in close conflict on
the floor All this was the work OF en instant
The members interfered in bodies During the
melee a young from Kentucky, named
Moore. who had been admitted upon the floor.
rushed into the crowd Of members within the
bar IL a violent and meuacing manner. He
was seized by some members and dragged ont.
Mr.. McCauslin, of Ohio, thrust him out OF the
door. The mahogany doors were fastened back,
as usual and green cloth doors substituted.
Moore drew a pistol and fired upon McCauslln
through the door The ball. missing its object.
took effect upon the thigh of Mr.. j. L. Writ one
/
tered the inner part Of the thigh, and passing
around the bone, lodged.
The chairman of the committee resigned his
seat to the Speaker, and the Sergeant-at-arms
appeared among the combatants with the mace.
Tranquility was In moment restored. As to
Moore. lie seized by Gen. Dodge and kept
TRANQUIL till he was arrested in due form by the
Sergeantat-arms.
Mr.. Dromgoole moved that the parties to the
ARRAY be brought to -ns bar of the House for
trial.
Mr.. Saunders suggested that a committee be
appointed to inquire into and report upon the
facts.
manner, expressed his deep regret at the occur
renee. and apologized to the House for his par
ticpation in it.
Mr. Rathbun followed and submitted himself
TO the Judgment of the House, apologizing to all
around for what he had done through a hasty
temper, and declaring that he felt nothing but
the greatest respect and friendship Tor the gen.
tleman from kentucky.
Dir. White thereupon offered his hand to Mr.
Rathbun, declaring that after the gentlemans
declaration, it was not his nature to entertain
any unkind feslipgs toward him.
This reconciliation had dramatic effect
that the whole audience. on the floor and In the
galleries. began simultaneously to applaud by
Mr. Dromeoole withdrew his proposition and
remarked that he did not consider 1t necessary
to pursue the subject
Mr.. Saunders thought it due to the House that
an inquiry should be made. The matter would
go forth to the public and would be misrepre.
the matter, if nothing else done.
= Mr.. Holmes, after some preliminary remarks
on the disgraceful character of these disorders
said he felt it due to his constituents and to the
country to offer a resolution, which he sent to
the Chair. viz: That the Hon. John White. Of
Kentucky. and the Hon. B. Rathbun, Of New
York, be expelled from the House"
Mr. White did the same. 1t must be noticed
: that ihr. White called upon the reporters espec-
tally to note his declaration that the rash young
man. Mr.. Moore, utterly unknown to him.
Though Mr. Moore said to be a Kentuckian,
he vowed that he did not know him even by
sight.
The end of the matter that all other prop
ositions being rejected or withdrown 1t was
dered that committee OF five be appointed to
inquire into and report upon the subject.
Acts of violence the floor had often
CURED. but this was the first instance Of the in
reference of a stranger. and an armed man, in
the affairs of the House, on the floor and in full
session. 1t was evil precedent, and the more.
inasmuch as the offender was said to re-
sponsfble and respectable man.